IL Magazine: We'll Pay for your Subscription AND Give You a FREE Issue of The Savvy Retiree... SUBSCRIBE NOW AND GET YOUR $50 VOUCHER about subscribing to International Living Magazine 
Swaying palm trees, soft white sands, and warm waters of clearest blue…Panama’s islands epitomize the best of the tropics. Panama has hundreds of islands, but the island destination I visit the most is Contadora—and with good reason. It’s just a 20-minute flight from Panama City, where I live. (And yes, I’ve boarded some truly tiny planes since I moved here!)
Panama boasts cool mountain havens and country hamlets…miles and miles of beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean… and of course, a modern capital famous for its sparkling skyline. With so many destinations and climates to choose from, planning a scouting trip can feel like an impossible task...
As I write this—halfway around the world from most who will read it—it occurs to me that we are all in the same boat. No matter where you are, there are worries…compassion for many who have lost jobs or worse, loved ones…and hope that we can slow the spread of the specific strain commonly referred to as the Coronavirus...
Imagine living just a 20-minute flight from a world-class island destination…a 45-minute ferry from a tiny haven called the Island of Flowers…or an hour’s drive from an expansive, uncrowded beach that is home to an exuberant expat community.
Here’s our round-up of 10 things to do in Panama…with a few insider tips you’ll be glad to have under your belt (or fanny pack, as it were). Though we’re counting down from 10 to number 1...
Asparagus soup with tarragon and goat's cheese...roast turkey with oyster stuffing...delicate little pearl onions in cheddar cream. It's a Mid-Atlantic-style Thanksgiving feast. And it's being served up in Panama—a place where expats and locals enjoy coming together for this tradition from up north.
You can’t help but feel happy in Panama’s highlands. The views are inspiring, with verdant pines and bougainvillea bursts covering the hillsides. Hidden gems include streams, waterfalls and even hot springs. Not to mention some of Panama’s best flora and fauna…including hundreds of species of colorful birds, orchids, and more. To be sure, Panama is known for its stunning Caribbean islands and popular Pacific beaches.
On August 15, 2019, La ciudad de Panamá—the Pacific Coast’s oldest conquistador settlement—celebrated its 500th anniversary. (That makes it older than even St. Augustine, Florida, the first such settlement in the continental U.S., est. 1565.) Panama City, a cosmopolitan capital on the Bay of Panama has long stood as a testament...
After 10 years of covering this country for International Living, you’d think writing about the best places to vacation in Panama would be a cinch. The more you know, the easier it should be…but the opposite is often the case. I know so many great Panama vacation destinations that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few...
Panama has much to offer, from mountain havens boasting year-round mild temperatures to colonial towns where the traditions of grand old Spain have shaped and enriched the local culture. But it’s Panama’s sunny beaches that get the most attention…and with good reason.